Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire by misswonderlnd
Leah had gotten pretty good at being invisible. Her older brother Luke, however, decides it is time to rekindle the friendship they once had. And he isn't the only one- his best friend Cameron seems determined to rediscover Leah too. But in what way?
Banner Credit: Ali

Melissa Thinks: Leah is a year younger than her popular brother Luke who seems to overshadow her at every opportunity. It isn't until his senior year that Luke begins to take an interest in his sister's existence again. With him comes Cameron; the caring best friend who's always had a soft spot for Leah. How will the two handle their attraction to each other without letting Luke find out?

Those who liked So Much to Learn will find this story delightful and fulfilling. The author has a natural, smooth, and funny voice which helps add to the believability of the characters. Leah and Cam are adorable and their character development over the course of the story makes everything ten times more interesting. There's enough drama in the story to keep you utterly engrossed in the story, but it never gets to a point where you're annoyed.

The "brother's best friend" plot device is a cliche that never gets old, so Playing With Fire fits right in with the other fantastic stories in the category.

Waffle No More

Waffle No More by Lenni

Wendy the Waffle Girl is now Wendy the I-Couldn't-Give-a-Crap Waitress at a local Italian restaurant during the summer before college, and her quirky sarcasm seems to have caught the attention of cute coworker Vincent. He just might try to ask her out… but not if her wayward boyfriend Max has anything to say about it. 
Banner Credit: Rory

Brittany Thinks: Waffle No More is the delightful one-shot follow up to "Leggo my Eggo". I, like the author, suggest you read the original before Waffle No More as it really helps to establish the relationship between Max and Wendy!

Wendy is the kind of character who walks the delicate balance between sarcasm and true emotion. It's difficult to craft dialogue where sarcasm also carries the weight of genuine emotion, but Lenni is a master at this. I found Wendy as endearing as Max clearly did. Max is the kind of guy who will probably look back on his high school self one day and wonder why he behaved the way he did sometimes. He's a good guy at heart, but cursed with the unfortunate high school experience of being too attractive and popular to clearly know how to navigate social interaction at times. They are a great balance for each other as Max allows Wendy to come out from behind her harsh sarcasm and Wendy keeps Max a little more grounded than he would be without her. They have a sweet, easy chemistry that makes reading their back and forth incredibly fun.

As with most one shots, Waffle No More is a pleasant snap shot of one event in the complex realm of human experience. Still, there was just enough for me to fall so hopefully in love with Wendy in Max that I'm crossing my fingers that this two shot might become a trilogy. Lenni pens a great one-shot and you definitely won't regret checking this one out.


Happy reading!

Half Your Age Plus Seven

Half Your Age Plus Seven by Measuremylifeincoffeespoons

What was that rule again? Half your age plus seven? You can’t go below that. If I’m 18, half is 9. Crap, where's my calculator? Okay, 9 plus 7 is 16…and he is 15. 15.5! I mean, should I round up? Or not? What’s six months? That should be fine..ah, hell.
Banner Credit: Helen

Melissa Thinks: “Half Your Age Plus Seven” was probably one of the first Fictionpress stories that I ever fell in love with. There’s not very much that I can say about it except that you all need to read it now. It’s brimming with so much charm and humor that the little mistakes don’t even matter to me. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite clichéd stories.

It’s only been six days since Gracie realized that she’s hopelessly attracted to her best friend’s little brother, and already she feels as if she’s ready to explode. So, does she act on her feelings and forever feel like a pedophile, or does she forget that he’s three years younger - that he’s her best friends brother - that she’s already had enough heartbreak, and make her move?

Alessandra, Protector of Man

Alessandra, Protector of Man by star123
What's the point of being mildly magical if no-one, not even your deliciously handsome best friend, appreciates it? Especially when said best friend has invited you to meet his new girlfriend under the strict instructions that you're not to be weird...
Banner Credit: Atramento

Rosie Thinks: This summary really caught my attention - how many times have I been told not to be weird when meeting new people? I can sympathise. But I'm not weird like our protagonist Aly is. When the summary says she's 'mildly magical', it's very much literal. Aly can sense when someone is about to get very mildly injured, which is one of the strangest powers I've ever heard of!

'Alessandra, Protector of Man' starts off with Aly being brought along to meet her best friend's new girlfriend. Unfortunately, Aly is in love with her best friend WIll and has been for many years, so this is definitely somewhat painful for her. Some girl/best friend stories can get so repetitive that I know the general storyline, but not in this story's case. This one has a totally sweet ending and the added element of strange superpowers just added on to this story's uniqueness.

This story isn't complicated or angsty or dark at all - it's short and so very sweet, and I think star123 tied the whole thing together so neatly. It all happens in pretty much one scene but if you want a one-shot to make you feel like rainbows and bubbles, this is where you'll find it. And, of course, star123 writes brilliantly and I can't fault one thing in her writing.

The Wingwoman

The Wingwoman by White Rose Blossom
Jace spread his arms. "I'm right here, Lex." My heart skipped a beat. "Uhm, no thanks, you probably have cooties and other diseases." Jace, man-whore that he was, was one of my best friends, not to mention my house mate. So falling for him probably wasn't a good idea, right? Shit. This is why I needed a dog.
Banner Credit: Marta

Ali Thinks: "The Wingwoman" is the epitome of everything that's great about the best friend cliché. And, let's be real honest here: who doesn't love a good best friend story? (If to this question the voice in you made an indignant cry of "me!" get ready to rethink that notion.)

Lex is the perfect wing woman for her best friend and roommate, Jace. Except for the fact that she likes him. But, you know, other than that, the arrangement is perfect. Girls come up to her when the two of them go out to bars (with the same not-so-subtle line, "You're so lucky!") and she calls Jace over so said girl of the night can throw herself at him.

Because of this, there's obviously going to be tension between the two. And sometimes, in girl and best friend stories, this tension can be overdone with all of the "omg he spoke to me which is so weird because we're best friends. I'm currently naming our four children but I don't like him, obviously, that's crazy but my heart stops whenever I look at him." However, White Rose Blossom knew how to handle this and Lex's and Jace's relationship panned out fantastically and realistically at the same time.

It's a bit lengthy for a one-shot, since it is almost 12,000 words, but it goes by in the blink of an eye. Those that do love girl and best friends stories are probably long gone by now, already immersing themselves in "The Wingwoman," so for those that still need a bit convincing, I say: there's fun characters, great writing, and it's happy... why would you not read it?

Damage Control

Damage Control by Mad for Figs

One likes two. Two is going out with three, but actually likes one. Then one pulls four into the picture by making four help one make two jealous. Sound simple? Ask five.
Banner Credit: Melissa

Melissa Thinks: This was definitely not a story I was expecting to enjoy. The summary, although clear now that I've actually read the story, seemed confusing and I wasn't quite sure what the story was actually about (except for that it was obviously some kind of complicated love... pentagon?). So let me clear that up for anyone else who's struggling: Lauren is in love with her best friend Jarred, who's dating Elena. In order to try and get Jarred's attention, Lauren asks (kinda more like forces) Zack to pretend to be her boyfriend; that is where the story really begins.

I just found this story captivating. The plot is classic FP material, but it's just too adorable not to love. It's short, only six chapters long, so it's good for those who want something quick, but aren't really up for a one shot. I like Mad for Fig's writing because it's simple and funny, but has a concise voice. I didn't find the dialogue to be stiff at all, and the interactions between the main couple gave me warm fuzzies every time. I ended up closing my laptop with a giant smile on my face because I'm pretty positive I fell in love with Damage Control.

Open Season

Open Season by ares the olympian

you never really realize just how much you appreciate something until its gone. In Jake's case, he doesn't realize he loves his best friend until she starts ignoring him.
Banner Credit: marta

Brittany Thinks: Open Season is fairly short, - only a little over 1,000 words - but ares the olympian manages to capture an entire

The first thing that captured me when I sat down to read this one shot was the wording. There's a comfortable flow to the story, almost like lyrics fit to a melody. A few of the sentences were so beautifully crafted that I found myself annoyed I hadn't written them. ares the olympian's author's note said she wrote the story in fifteen minutes, inspired by a song she was listening to. We all have those moments as authors where something needs to get out of us and we can't concentrate until it's down on paper. That kind of writing is always better, pure, developed from a place of complete artistry and need. I think that's why this story managed to resonate for me so quickly. Readers don't really know Jake except in his relation to Mel, but Mel is a fairly well developed character. By the end, you feel like you know her. It was fascinating for me to meet the character of Mel so fully through the eyes of her best friend. We should all be so lucky as to have someone who admires us so much and knows us so well. The only thing I find myself wanting after this story is more! Check it out for a quick, light read and happy reading!
friendship within a few paragraphs. Written as an open letter from a guy, Jake, to his best friend, Mel, readers fall in love with Mel through Jake's eyes. His words are part apology, part confession, and part total and complete admiration of a person obviously significant to him. I can't say too much else about this without giving spoilers, so you'll have to read to find out what happened between Mel and Jake.

Lies of the Heart

Lies of the Heart by TheDarkScribe

For her New Year's resolution, Natalie decides to finally pursue her dream guy. Only it turns out to be much harder than she thought.
Banner Credit: Casey

Ali Thinks: Natalie likes Jeremy. Naturally, she's never spoken to him in the ages (and ages) she's had this infatuation, but now that it's a new year, she's made talking to him a resolution. Which sucks

I'm guessing everyone here knows what they say about best laid plans. And I'm guessing everyone here also knows what they say about one door closing.

Honesty hour: I really hate love triangles. I can't really express the amount, but it's only slightly less than when there aren't enough marshmallows in the Lucky Charms box. That being said, I really did like Lies of the Heart. It was funny, albeit slightly ridiculous, but I think that's what I liked about it most. It's one of those longshot romances that would probably not happen in real life, but is still fun to read.

I would highly recommend this story for someone in one of those god-awful reading ruts. A lot of times, it can be hard to get through a story while in a rut, but I really think Lies of the Heart has the unique power to end the rut and start the reading frenzy. It's not that long, and it seems even shorter since it doesn't drag on. And hey, if you're not in a rut, keep the streak going with another great, lighthearted story.
pretty bad for her because Jeremy's got the hots for Natalie's best friend, Sam. But that's okay, because Natalie and her friend Matt have hatched a brilliant plan involving fake dating, a lot of lying, and a bit of scheming to manipulate Jeremy into turning his attentions from Sam to Natalie.

Zach and Ana

Zach and Ana by JTime

Zach was two when Ana was born and since that day, the two have seldom been apart. As their parents expected, teenage years bring a budding romance. The summer before Zach's senior year brings several things the close-knit pair were never prepared for.

Banner Credit: Brenda

Marta Thinks: Zach and Ana is one of those incredibly well

The story is about Zach and Ana's friendship and eventual romance. A boy-girl friendship can be sweet, but as the teen years come closer, drama will, of course, star to ensue. Zach was the typical oblivious guy but he soon became a sweet, caring boyfriend. Ana could sometimes be a little forgettable, but she had many good moments and soon became a beloved character.

The story is very, very long (252, 850 words) but I think that worked for Zach and Anna. There was an extensive plot to cover and many events taking place - it didn't drag on excessively. Overall, this is one best friend cliché you do not want to miss out on!
written stories. There was a brilliant variety of emotions and the plot was filled with twists and turns. Fortunately enough, it didn't get too unrealistic, or heavy to read, thanks to the good balance of humor and seriousness.

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Vaudeville

He's a millionaire playboy. She's a girl who's just trying to get by. They were best friends growing up but five years can really change a person.
Banner Credit: Helen

Ali Thinks: A lot can happen in five years. Two friends can grow apart. Someone can get a college degree. Someone can be stuck working two jobs that barely gets them by. Two friends can cross paths again. All of these ring true for Boyd and Deacon. He's always been rich, and Boyd has always been poor. The two are tighter than tight, until Deacon is sent off to England for college. After that, the two grow further and further apart until they don't speak at all.

Fast forward to the present: Deacon works for his father's company, just as he was meant to and Boyd is still an amateur photographer, too financially unstable to live out her dreams. When the two meet again, it isn't exactly as though they pick up straight where they left off. Boyd has got a lot on her plate now that she has to deal with the stress of her deadbeat boyfriend pushing her around, on top of her two jobs. Despite all this, Deacon still reaches out to her. (Awwww)

Whenever I read a story, I usually don't know whether or not I'll accept it until the very end, and sometimes it takes a day or two of deliberation before I can finally make a decision. With Sitting, Waiting, Wishing, I was 90% certain that it would be accepted by the time I got to the tenth chapter. I was positively flying through the story and enjoying every second of it.

I think it was Boyd's independence that did it for me, really. I loved how even with all of the things she went through, she was reluctant to get any help from anyone. She was very consistent, and it was because of her character that the story was able to break out of the rich guy/poor girl cliché.

As a personal preference, I'm generally not a fan of stories that are written in multiple first person points of view. Though the changes between chapters felt a bit jumpy at times, it didn't really take away from how much I enjoyed the story. I think this kind of goes along with the jumpy bit, but the only other critique I have is that it seemed a bit rushed in the middle and towards the end.

Overall though, I really liked Sitting, Waiting, Wishing. It was a pretty quick read for a 90,000 word story and it never dragged on. If you're looking for a cute best friend's tale, a rich-poor tale, or a long lost friend story, look no further, here it is.

Knowing Audrey

Knowing Audrey by Wallflower.x

She runs her black nails through her blonde hair and rests her arms over her head for a moment. She could tell him the truth, she could blurt out that she's really only three years older than he is. She sighs, "How old do you want me to be?"
Banner Credit: Casey

Rosie Thinks:  Daniel is sitting on a pier, looking for inspiration for his story, when he meets mysterious, beautiful and broken Audrey. Audrey is completely shattered inside, letting life pass her by rather than living in it. Her house is a mess, she works as a stripper, her ex-boyfriend is abusive, yet she can't help but start up a tentative friendship with the boy she dubs Daniel. Daniel's growth throughout the story is slow but there, and amazing to watch. The way he develops both physically and mentally, from a boy into a man, was superbly written and gradual.

This story is utterly beautiful and only got more bewitching as I read on. I was obsessively glued to it for the last few chapters! I love how the story unfolds before your eyes. You're told nothing upfront. Instead, Wallflower.x slowly gives it away, showing and not telling. In her writing, the author has found a perfect balance between poetic and straightforward. At times, the words flowed and created beautiful images, while at others it was to the point and blunt. This suited the story unbelievably well - it's a poetic story about a not so poetic topic.

Wallflower.x has a knack of really getting inside a character's head and translating their feelings onto paper. Her writing is so beautiful and emotive that I was utterly engrossed and felt her character's emotions as if they were my own. The plot is completely unique and unpredictable, which kept me hooked on what was happening, especially since the author had a knack of ending a chapter at a crucial point. I can really only describe this story as beautiful - the plot, the characters, the writing - and urge anyone looking for an emotional read to give it a chance.

From Beginning to End

From Beginning to End by HeadAboveTheWater

Spontaneous isn't a word easily associated with Crystal Moore...until she runs into Jacob Riley the summer before college. Suddenly "unplanned" seems to have become her middle name. When unexpected circumstances force them together Crystal discovers that the moments we don't plan for are the ones that teach us the most.
Banner Credit: Casey

Annie Thinks: Spontaneous isn't a word easily associated with Crystal Moore...until she runs into Jacob Riley the summer before college. Suddenly "unplanned" seems to have become her middle name. When unexpected circumstances force them together Crystal discovers that the moments we don't plan for are the ones that teach us the most.

If you're looking for a nice, light read that will melt your heart and put butterflies in your stomach... then keep looking. On the other hand, if you're looking for a deep, emotional story that will have you aww-ing one chapter and sobbing the next, then From Beginning To End is perfect for you.

It's about Crystal Moore, a girl who is fresh out of high school with no real direction in life. Her plans for the summer are to do as little as possible while her parents are away, but that changes when Jacob Riley comes to her rescue at a party one night. After that, they form a strong connection that spans a few years and turns into something much more permanent and much more life-changing than is evident at first glance.

In an effort to cut out spoilers, that's as ambiguous as I'll leave the summary. I started reading this story with no idea how it would turn out, and it ended up pretty much ruining my life for one night. It's very long (54 chapters and over 250,000 words), and does drag on in some places, but I think that is the only way a story like this could be told. Sometimes there were long blocks of text that didn't seem to say anything, but From Beginning To End still had me up until 1:30 am (on a school night!). There are so many twists and turns that you can't help but stay up and tell yourself, "One more chapter, just one more chapter!"

For all of its good parts (and there are many!), this story has some faults, too. As I said, there were big paragraphs of narrative that was pretty unnecessary. Sometimes it felt like the same thing was being stated over and over again. A lot of those unrealistic cliches were used too--the raging, alcohol-filled high school parties and the shady men who can't seem to restrain themselves among them. I felt that the character development was lacking as well. Crystal is sort of a boring protagonist; she's not particularly funny or interesting, and the only remarkable thing about her seems to be her relationship with Jake. Speaking of whom, Crystal is consistently saying what a good guy Jake is, but there isn't really any evidence of this; he pulls some jerk moves throughout the story.

Despite all this, I wholeheartedly recommend From Beginning To End. HeadAboveTheWater holds nothing back. She describes everything fully--the emotions are crystal clear and cut you to the core. She has no qualms about breaking her characters' (or readers') hearts, but she more than makes up for them with the lemons. They are pretty few and far between, but are so thorough and poignant that they can definitely tide you over until the next one! The characters (though lacking in personality) each have their own sets of faults and mistakes, without which this story would not exist. They both have their own redeeming qualities--Crystal with an amazing depth and selflessness, and Jake with a surprising humanness to him. Overall, From Beginning To End is a very powerful, heartbreaking story that I 100% recommend, as long as you are emotionally available and have no important plans for the next few days!

Intoxicated

Since the posting of this review, this story has been removed from FictionPress by the author.

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It Can Always Get Worse

It Can Always Get Worse by Ollie May
Spies, roommates, scars, MCATS, kisses, mafiosos. Trust me, it can ALWAYS get worse.

Banner Credit: Melissa

Brittany Thinks: I love a story that's funny without really trying to be and that's what I found in It Can Always Get Worse by Ollie May. The plot is unique in that the heroine, Lana, opens up the story having already been kidnapped by a Russian Mob boss. He then forces Lana to tell the story of how she met and became close to her best friend Antony, though the Boss' interest in her life is not fully explained. Antony was characterized brilliantly and I found myself as desperate to know more about him as Lana was. I expected this story to carry a darker tone because of Lana's situation, but the story is split perfectly between her present predicament and flashbacks of her life and friendship with Antony. Plus, she's hilarious and snarky without being overly so. Ollie May invented wonderful characters that readers can easily fall in love with and wove a story of secrets, questions, and uncertainty that will have you guessing with every chapter. I was so enthralled that I couldn't stop reading!

Fair warning: This story is incomplete and hasn't been updated since 2010. I think it's still well worth the read because, at 26 chapters and 70,000+ words, we learn a lot about the characters and their experiences. However, it does end on a cliffhanger. I certainly don't regret reading it because what she has posted thus far is amazing. Lana and Antony have a great dynamic and the supporting characters are well developed with their own sub plots to flesh out a complete universe. There's enough foreshadowing to provide an idea of where the story would have gone had Ollie May continued posting. I have hope, honestly, that it may be updated some day because a few chapters were posted with at least a two year break in between. My opinion: it's worth the risk! If you're looking for a great read, a few laughs, and an escape to a world completely different from your own, this is a story for you.

Crash and Burn

Crash and Burn by rosieroo
He’s the sexy singing superstar. She’s his old high school sweetheart. After four years, fate throws them together again. She may still be in love with him, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to convince her that they’re meant to be

Banner Credit: Melissa

Ariana Thinks: When I first started reading "Crash and Burn," I worried that my high expectations (which were formed from reading its amazing prequel "Not So Crash Hot") would not be met. From the first chapter though, I could see that this would not be the case. "Crash and Burn" was both humorous and interesting, and I found myself flipping through every chapter with rapid speed, unable to tear my eyes away from the computer screen.
On top of having an amazing plot filled with witty repertoire and hilarious dialogue, "Crash and Burn" has well-developed, realistic characters that I found myself heavily invested in. Even though I haven't gone through the same situations as the protagonist Reagan has, her emotions and feelings are portrayed so realistically that it wasn't difficult for me to enter her world. It doesn't hurt that Reagan has a vivacious personality that is conveyed through her hilarious narrative voice.

In many stories, the female protagonist loses her personality and wit in the presence of her crush and turns into a mindless zombie. I can assure you that this is not the case in "Crash and Burn," however. If anything, Reagan becomes more quirky and intelligence in Logan's presence. Four years after the end of "Not so Crash Hot," Reagan and Logan have grown and changed as characters. However, the one thing that has remained steadfastly the same is their amazing chemistry together. Logan and Reagan's relationship may have tons of ups and downs, but their connection with each other is undeniable.

The only real drawback to "Crash and Burn" is that it can be hard to follow without any background knowledge. I would recommend reading or skimming "Not So Crash Hot" before reading "Crash and Burn," but trust me, it is well worth it! All in all, "Crash and Burn's" original plot, realistic characters, and hilarious repertoire, will leave you desperate for more chapters. You definitely won't regret reading it!

Just for Glory

Just for Glory by Imaginary Parachute

Amazing what occurs when witty bad boy Donovan makes a bet to seduce sarcastic good girl Piper. Follow the story of their intertwined existence through high school as lessons are learned and relationships forged.

Banner Credit: MajordlyFantastic

Belinda Thinks: I read this whole story in one night - not my best move, considering I had two papers to write, but otherwise completely satisfying and totally worth it. I am in awe of Imaginary Parachute’s skill in characterisation, insight and writing in general.
The story begins with an unpleasant hallway encounter at high school. Donovan is a well-known pothead and slacker, while Piper is the notoriously frigid and clever wallflower. Their unusual friendship develops from a bet - refreshingly, the bet is quickly cast aside without further repercussions, instead of taking over and ruining their relationship.

The author keeps a tight focus on their relationship, giving it time and opportunity to slowly mature without distracting the reader with the high school nonsense that often revolves around main characters. Also, the story is written from both points of view so that the reader really understands both sides of any argument and the conflicting feelings and denial Donovan and Piper face. The pace is fairly slow, but each chapter is filled with detail and reveals something about each character, so that not one of the chapters is extraneous or dull. The deliberate, lingering mood of the story makes the ending exquisitely emotional.

I still think of Donovan and Piper fondly; that is how well and how realistically they were written. I cannot expound enough on the merits and beauty of this story. Read it. Read it.

Plan B

Plan B by FidoDude
He would do anything for her: give her his food, share his music CDs, give up his bed, be her crying shoulder, help her get over her ex-boyfriend, marry her... After all, that's what friends are there for, right?

Banner Credit: marta

Melissa Thinks: Plan B is different from most one shots in the sense that it was written in the point of view of a male. It revolves around the adorable relationship between two best friends. By giving us a glimpse into the lives of the characters, Plan B sucks you into their relationship in just one scene. The dialogue is not only believable, but it makes you feel as if you’re in the same room with the characters listening in on their conversation. The concept is not quite unique, but it’s still an interesting topic for the author to explore (and she/he does it so well!). Heart-warming is the word I’d use to describe Plan B; bittersweet and tender, it will pull on your heartstrings and keep you engaged until the very end.

Not Crash So Hot

Not Crash So Hot by rosieroo
Regan's life is filled with nasty queen bees, high school parties, discriminative cliques, torturous camps, soccer, her popular brother and sister, and this certain male enemy who won't leave her alone! Logan Williams wasn't prepared to play with fire
Banner Credit: Melissa

Ciara Thinks: Avoiding abuse of Caps Lock is extremely hard when reviewing this story, it’s just that good, but I just about managed it. Not So Crash Hot is about tomboy Regan Shanahan and her love-hate relationship with her brother’s best friend Logan. There is such wonderful chemistry between the two, with lots of hilarious banter and cuteness too.

All the characters are well-rounded and memorable, with realistic relationships, particularly the one between Regan and her ‘golden’ older siblings James and Tori – James she likes, Tori, not so much – as through all the bickering, there is the undercurrent of sibling affection. Regan is very funny, cheeky and slightly crazy, with an aversion to girly things, but she has her insecurities – ‘I swear I look like a piece of poo’ – and they just make her all the more likable. Logan is witty, handsome, arrogant, yet very sweet, with a ‘Mystery Girl’.

Written by our own wonderful Rosie, the diction of the story is excellent - coming from Regan’s very funny viewpoint – with realistic dialogue and very few mistakes, certainly none that distract from the story itself. It flows well, with all the humour, drama, sports, cliques and parties one would expect in a high school story.

Not So Crash Hot is all kinds of wonderful, so I’m going to round off now before this review deteriorates into a fan-girl-ish rant, and say that you should definitely go read it if you haven’t already (and if you have, why not read it again?).

Dropping the Act

Dropping the Act by xoxluurve
"Jealous?" He knew the damn answer to that. She grabbed him into place so that no space existed between them. He knew he wished it were like this forever. "You wish." Cute how they try to run when all they need is each other.
Banner Credit: Melissa

Helen Thinks: “Dropping the Act” by xoxluurve takes the girl and best friend cliché and gives it a good shake up to make it simply unique, as well as one of those stories that has you glued to your screen to find out what has happened.

Reed and Lainey have the kind of relationship where they like to push the other’s buttons with one sole aim: to see which one of them will fall first and admit they have something going on between them. The characters are extremely realistic; it’s like actually being there amongst your friends. Back in English studies, I was taught that you should have a good reason for adding cussing into a story and I believe that xoxluurve most definitely has this covered! The language does not take control of the story, it just adds to the realism that makes this story three dimensional and believable.

However, I do have one issue with this story. At one point, I found myself wondering how I had arrived at the scene but that does not mean it is not worth reading! Despite the minute moment of confusion, xoxluurve still manages to make “Dropping the Act” a one in a lifetime read.

With the added elements of fluff and humour, this story is an extremely cute read that will have you expressing all the emotions at your computer screen.

Happy Endings

Happy Endings by jennycraig10
"It doesn't work that way. Sometimes you just don't get the happy ending," she said. He looked at her, then with a small smile, he said,"You always get the happy ending. It always comes eventually. You just have to have faith."
Banner Credit: Melissa

Annie Thinks: There's not all that much I can say about this one-shot. It's amazing, but it's very straightforward as well and sort of the same all the way through. That doesn't make it bad; it's almost refreshing in a world of one-shots that are quirky and crazy and very alive. It was nice to read a normal story with a quiet, slow romance.

It's about Paige and Wyatt. The pair can't be any more opposite: Paige is stoic and cautious while Wyatt is adventurous and unfailingly happy. Paige finds him one night inside a phone booth, and, after the phone is stolen from both of them, she offers to give him a ride to his girlfriend's apartment. When that takes a turn for the much worse, he (platonically) spends the night at Paige's place, which eventually leads to him unofficially moving in... for five years. How it plays out is sort of obvious.

Happy Endings is over 17,000 words yet never seemed to drag on. There is a lot more narration than dialogue, but it didn't get boring or hard to understand. It was really beautifully written; some lines were surprisingly insightful.

It was very easy to understand how both Paige and Wyatt felt, as well as the other characters who were simply observing their relationship. Despite the wonderful descriptions of and reasoning behind their emotions, I found myself wanting to slap Paige very much for hurting Wyatt, but I also wanted to slap Wyatt for not understanding Paige. It was easy to relate to both the characters, though: to Paige for being afraid of love and losing her independence, and to Wyatt for his constant optimism and general happy-go-lucky attitude.

The ending was a little hard for me to read, but that was probably just because of my strong dislike for drama. There were some grammar mistakes, but definitely not enough to distract from the story, especially considering the fact that it's 17,000 words long! It seemed like you never really got to know the characters, which sort of made it hard to care about them or their budding romance.

In spite of that, I 100% recommend Happy Endings. The timing is a thing of beauty; the characters, while not wholly realistic, were easy to understand; the plot is original and well-executed. If you find yourself bored at home with nothing to do, then read this one-shot. Just make sure you have a lot of time and a lot of pillows/punching bags!